Doula support for VBAC families: science, compassion, & care

In
Western MA we are lucky to have doctors and midwives in our hospitals
that make vaginal birth after cesarean – VBAC – accessible to families.
Research shows that nearly all women who wish to labor should be able
to, and that most of them will deliver vaginally. For many women,
though, considering and planning a VBAC is filled with unknowns and
emotion and having doula support can really make a huge different in how
you feel throughout the process.

The science of VBAC

Most
of my doula clients planning a VBAC are nervous about the risks of both
having a vaginal birth after cesarean and of having a repeat c-section.
Their pregnancies are followed more closely by their doctors and
midwives, and they often are faced with extra testing as their due dates
approach. We spend a lot of time in prenatally talking about the
research on VBAC, about best practices for prenatal testing, about local VBAC rates, and about the
if when and how of induction. The science of VBAC, though, is only part
of our work together.

The emotions of VBAC

Fear is a natural part of the process in any pregnancy, and sometimes
even more so when planning a VBAC. Whether you labored with your first
child or not, birth can be equally empowering and exciting as well as
scary. My doula clients always have a compassionate person to just a
phone call away. It’s so simple but so important: I answer my phone 24
hours a day. I can make suggestions and just listen in a way that the
best doctor or midwife simply cannot, because that is the whole of my
job — to support your family in whatever ways you need throughout the
process. The consistency of knowing me in pregnancy, having dedicated
hands on doula support in labor and birth, and in meeting again once you
are home with your baby is reassuring, grounding, and makes families
feel well cared for.

My approach to gentle, family centered cesarean birth

I
also make an extra effort with my VBAC clients to not only make a birth
plan for their vaginal birth, but to simultaneously discuss and plan a family centered cesarean
section as a plan B. I have participated in lovely, warm, gentle
cesarean births and I believe that no matter how your baby is born, your
family deserves respect, joy, and closeness in the birth room.

Any woman who wants to labor should be supported in doing so. Let’s talk about creating a happy birth day for your family. We can make it happen.

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Bellyfull Birth supports your growing family through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenting with workshops and classes and consultations to women and families in Western MA, Southern VT, & Southwest NH (view a map of my service area).I would love to support your family on your journey to parenthood. Contact me to learn more.